Monday, 3 September 2012

Zambia Land Alliance expresses deep saddness by the reported likely displacement of over 134 families in Chief Kanyeshya’s area in Mkushi District.

Zambia Land Alliance (ZLA) is deeply saddened
by the reported likely displacement of over 134 families in Chief Kanyeshya’s
area in Mkushi District describing the story which appeared in the media
recently, as unfortunate.

Zambia Land Alliance Chairperson Caesar Katebe
says the issue should be addressed as a matter of urgency stating that such
occurrences of land being given away usually at the expense of local communities
would be highly unlikely if the country had adequate laws to protect people on
their land.

Mr. Katebe has called on Government through the
relevant line Ministries to intervene in this matter and ensure that the people
stay on their land as they clearly will have nowhere to go and will have no
sure means of survival.

He says investment should never be at the
expense of poor Zambians adding that it was unfortunate that some traditional
leaders who are supposed to protect the people’s land are the ones being
accused of giving it away without bearing in mind that they were disadvantaging
their people.

Mr. Katebe has noted that there is a growing
dangerous trend of traditional leaders selling land without considering the
livelihood of the people.

The Zambia land alliance chairperson has called
on the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs to develop a mechanism on how
traditional leaders can be held accountable on land governance by their
subjects.

Meanwhile
people of makupu area in bwacha constituency of central province have appealed
to government to legalize the forest in the area which has been illegal but has
people occupying it for over 20years.

Speaking
through their bwacha constituency area member of parliament Sydney mushanga,
the residents have stated that they are unable to carry out any farming
activities as the land is prohibited.

Mr.
Mushanga says development will only be taken to the area if people can have some
economic activities taking place.